Undressed by the Earl (35 page)

“I can give you that,” he said quietly. But Amelia appeared unconvinced.

She let out a sigh and offered, “I suppose, to you, a good wife sits in the corner and embroiders handkerchiefs. That isn’t the woman I am.”

“I would never expect that of you,” he pointed out. “But neither am I a knight, charging up on a white horse, to sweep you away to live in a castle.” He didn’t want her creating illusions about what their life would be like.

“I’m not a young girl who still believes in those things,” she said. “But you did save me from Lord Lisford.”

Her reminder gave him a reason to hope. “The man was going to ruin you. You didn’t deserve what he did.” He glanced around him. “I don’t suppose you deserved this, either. But you’re trapped here, and that’s the end of it.”

She wasn’t going anywhere. Not if he had to chain her to his side.

“Trapped?” She frowned, and he sat down where they had shared a picnic only a few days earlier.

“Yes. You made the decision to wed me, and I’m not allowing you to leave. Especially if you love me.”

Her face was flushed and incredulous that he’d changed his tack. “I could change my mind. I might not really love you.”

“But you do.” He crooked his finger. “Come here, Amelia.”

“No, I won’t. I’m leaving with Juliette and Lord Falsham within the hour.”

In a sudden move, he stood and caught her around the waist. “You’ll be too busy to go with them.”

“Doing what?”

He drew her close and murmured against her mouth. “Embroidering handkerchiefs.” His hands moved up her spine, and he appreciated the lush curve of her hips, and the way her body fitted to his.

“Have you lost your mind?”

He was beginning to think that he had. It was far better to simply take command of her and do as he pleased than to try and justify it to her. He wanted Amelia to stay with him, and stay she would.

“I hate embroidering,” she said.

But then he moved his hands to her breasts and flicked the tips with his thumbs. “No, you don’t. You like it quite a lot.”

Her mouth dropped open as she suddenly caught his hidden meaning. David seized his opportunity and kissed her hard. He gave her no opportunity to argue with him, not after all that they’d been through together. For so long, he’d mistakenly believed she was little more than a girl, unable to accept the responsibilities of caring for a household. She had proven herself to be a more commanding woman than Katherine, taking charge of what she wanted.

Just as he was doing now.

“Th-that’s not embroidery,” she stammered as he slid his tongue into her mouth, cutting off further arguments. The thin muslin she wore revealed curves that he wanted to explore intimately.

“It isn’t?” He hardly cared that they were in the garden where anyone could happen upon them. “There’s a gamekeeper’s cottage not far from here,” he suggested. “Though I might have destroyed it.”

“What are you doing, David?” she murmured against his mouth. Her lips were swollen from his kisses, and she looked utterly desirable.

“Showing you all the attention you should have had when I was otherwise distracted.” He nipped at her lips. “I’m not very good with words.”

“You’re better at actions,” Amelia agreed. She leaned in and kissed him softly, and the touch of her mouth was a physical reassurance. He crushed her in his embrace, and the warmth of her arms broke through the ice of his solitude. He wasn’t used to her unreserved affection, but his lonely soul reveled in it.

“If you hadn’t been there this past week, I would have lost myself,” he admitted. Pressing a lock of her hair back, he added, “That’s what a real marriage is, Amelia. Loving someone enough that you don’t run from the worst moments.”

“Why did you keep pushing me away?” she whispered.

“Because I was afraid of how much I’ve come to love you. I felt like I was dishonoring Katherine by letting myself feel again. I should have known it would be impossible to stay apart from a woman like you.”

The need to touch her again was a visceral force, pulling him closer. He hardly cared where they were—he wanted to push away the shadows of death and hold fast to this woman. He lost himself, kissing her hard until their tongues mingled.

“Stay with me,” he commanded.

She lifted her green eyes to his. “Convince me.”

The glint in her expression only magnified the urge to be wicked. “All right.”

He sat and pulled her onto his lap, keeping her legs sideways. He caressed her spine, his hand drifting to the edge of her skirts.

“David, no. I didn’t mean
that
. Someone might come and see us.” Her face had gone crimson, and he fumbled with her skirts until he could reach beneath them.

“They won’t see anything,” he swore. “And if they do come, all they’ll discover is a wife seated upon her husband’s lap.”

His words were like a match, flaring a pulse of need within her. Amelia was torn between curiosity and horror that he would indeed make love to her in the garden. Her fears came to fruition when his hand reached beneath her skirts, rearranging them over his lap. He found the seam of her intimate opening, brushing against her curls. She was shocked by the way her wanton flesh responded to his touch.

“David—”

“What?” He caressed her intimately, exploring her sensitive opening with his hands. She was taken aback by the way he was coaxing such a reaction. “It’s no different than what you did to me in the coach that night, on our journey here.” He invaded her with his fingers, and she suppressed a moan of pleasure. “You offered yourself to me on the day I destroyed the cottage. I’m simply going to accept your invitation now.”

Her body was melting against his fingers, achingly wet as he found the nodule above her opening and began to rub it.

“You’re being very wicked,” she whispered, her hands digging into his trousers.

“But you love me anyway.”

Yes. Yes, I do.

With her skirts covering his lap, no one could see what he was doing. They were utterly alone, and the thought of him taking her right here was shocking.

“Do you want me now, Amelia?” To underscore his words, he began entering and withdrawing from her with his fingers.

“Yes.” She was drowning in sensation, lost with the way he was touching her. She leaned down to kiss him hard, trying to arouse the same feelings in him.

She did love this man, no matter that he’d isolated himself in the past. At this moment, he was giving her his undivided attention, and she could hardly bear it.

He shifted his hand a moment, and at first, she didn’t know what he was doing. Then she realized he’d unbuttoned his trousers and had freed his erection. Against her wet flesh, she felt the hard length of his shaft.

“W—we shouldn’t,” she breathed. “Anyone could come and see us.” But she pressed against the arms of the chair, lifting slightly until he could fit himself inside her. The moment he was buried within, she felt another surge of need.

A shattered breath caught her, and she couldn’t resist the urge to squeeze his length. Not only did he pull her hips tightly to him, but he murmured in her ear, “God, I love it when you do that.”

He urged her to lift up and sit on him again. The sensation was breathtaking in a position she’d never tried before. Though it took her a moment to find the rhythm, she grasped his shoulders and pressed herself against him.

“I don’t think a fairy-tale husband would do this,” she said, arching as he began to pump inside her.

“The villain might,” he countered with a strong thrust. Her body convulsed against him, and she squeezed him again. “If he’s ravishing the woman he wants.”

“This is too dangerous,” she warned, trying to hold back the storm of desire building. Being here with him, in this garden where anyone could happen upon them, only heightened every sensation. She could feel the thick hardness of him as he entered and withdrew.

“You’d better ride me fast, then,” he told her. “Before we’re found.” He gripped her waist, urging her to find the right pace, and Amelia sighed while he filled her. The intimacy of being joined with the man she loved evoked an emotion so strong, her eyes stung.

She was losing control, unable to grasp any more thoughts. He kissed her roughly, thrusting against her as she accepted his body into her own. It was fast and hard, a reckless lovemaking that she’d never expected her quiet husband to initiate. Her breathing was coming faster, and his hands suddenly were everywhere. Not only at her hips, but he filled his palms with her breasts, fingering the nipples beneath the muslin. Her chemise was made of a flimsy lace, and she could feel his touch burning her like a brand.

He jerked against her, and in time, her body slipped over the edge in a violent rush. He kissed her to silence the broken cry, and continued lifting her up and down until she provoked his own release.

It was a swift pleasure, one that made her want to go back to the house and do it all over again. Her hair was tangled around her shoulders, her body utterly sated.

“You were right. Someone’s coming after all.” David buttoned his trousers again and moved her off his lap.

Amelia’s knees buckled as she held the chair for balance. “I can’t believe what we just did. I never dreamed that a man and a woman would ever risk that.”

He stood up, kissing her again and pulling her to his side. “I would risk it with you.”

She leaned back, taking his face between her hands. “Do you promise?”

He nodded. Then abruptly his expression shifted as he shoved her down, and the deafening sound of a gunshot interrupted their reverie.

Amelia screamed when she saw a bloodstain widening across David’s shirt.

Chapter Six
t
een

F
ire blazed through his shoulder with an unholy pain. But the moment of agony was overcome by the need to protect his wife. David ignored the wound and moved through the shrubbery until he could see where the gunman was. A man was retreating on horseback, and he could hear the shouting of servants. He tried to make out the assailant’s features, but the man was already riding hard through the hills.

Two of his footmen spied him, but David ordered, “Go!” It took only moments for them to seize horses and pursue the man.

Then he turned back to Amelia, who had come up behind him. The bullet wound was so intense, he could hardly breathe. Yet his greater concern was his wife.

“You’re bleeding,” she whispered in horror. “David, you’re covered in blood.”

“It’s only my shoulder,” he admitted, shrugging it off. He didn’t know what instinct had made him react. The moment he’d seen the glint of the pistol, he’d thrown himself in front of her, shoving her down.

It didn’t matter that he’d been wounded on her behalf. He’d have done it again without question.

“Who did this to you?” she demanded. Then she paled, as if she’d come to the same conclusion he’d realized. Slowly, she reached to touch his bleeding shoulder. “That bullet was meant for me. He shot…where I was standing.”

David nodded in silent agreement. He didn’t know who would ever threaten Amelia, but she was already walking with him back to the house.

“We need Dr. Fraser,” Amelia continued. “He’ll know how to fix your shoulder.” She pressed a handkerchief against the blood, trying to stanch the flow.

“Don’t press too hard against it,” he warned, grimacing at the pain.

She softened the pressure, and when her worried green eyes met his, she said, “You saved my life.”

Despite the fiery ache, he leaned in and kissed her. “I would do it again.”

She sent one of the footmen to fetch Dr. Fraser, and it took only moments for him to appear with his wife. Lady Falsham was holding Grace, and the moment Juliette saw David’s wound, she handed her daughter to Mrs. Menford. The older housekeeper was startled, but her face softened when she took the young girl.

Amelia started to explain what happened while Dr. Fraser examined David’s shoulder. Thankfully, the bullet had gone through, but her husband bit his lip to fight against the pain.

“Who did this to you, Hartford?” the doctor asked.

“I didn’t see him clearly. He was older, though, closer to the age of Amelia’s father.”

They walked back inside the house, and Juliette gave orders for water and bandages. While he wiped the blood away, Fraser kept his voice low. “And you think he was aiming at Amelia?”

“I know he was.” He hissed when the doctor blotted the wound again.

“David shoved me away,” Amelia admitted. Her hand moved to her throat, and she looked toward her sister. “Could it have been Lord Strathland?”

David had heard stories of the earl who had caused untold problems for Amelia’s family. The man had been locked away in a lunatic asylum, but he hardly cared whether or not it was the earl. Regardless of who had tried to shoot his wife, he wouldn’t stop until the man was found. He would let no one threaten the woman he loved.

Juliette’s gaze moved toward her husband. The fury on the doctor’s face spoke of a man who was contemplating murder. “He’s the only person with a reason to kill any of us.”

Amelia came to stand beside David. “If Lord Strathland
did
come here, his first target would have been Dr. Fraser. Not me.” She linked hands with her sister to offer silent support.

“I sent men in pursuit,” David told them. “When they return, we’ll know who it was.”

And he would hunt the man down and bring his own retribution upon him. Suffering wasn’t enough—he’d rather see the assailant buried.

“I’ve no wish to wait that long,” the doctor countered. “Have you a fast horse I could borrow?”

He did, but Juliette was already shaking her head. “No. You can’t go after Strathland, if it was him.” She took her husband’s hands in hers. “Paul, it’s what he wants. And then he’ll come after me and after Grace.” Her eyes filled up with unshed tears. “You can’t leave us.”

“It doesn’t make sense,” Amelia ventured. “If he came here to kill any of us, why would he come after me? And why would he leave so soon afterwards?”

“He was nearly caught,” David responded. “And because he has another target to attack.” The answer crystallized in his mind, and he had no doubt what the man intended. “If it was Strathland, then he’ll pursue your parents. He won’t go swiftly, because he knows you’ll follow him. And then he’ll have all of you.”

Dr. Fraser nodded. “You’re right.” He finished bandaging the wound and ordered, “You’re going to be wanting something tae help you sleep tonight.” He withdrew a small vial from his leather bag and said, “Take a few drops in a cup of tea, and it will ease the pain.”

“My lord,” a footman interrupted, “Forgive me, but this young woman insisted upon seeing you.”

It was Sarah Carlisle, the Earl of Strathland’s sister. The moment she appeared, the room fell deathly quiet. For there was no longer any doubt that Strathland was behind the attack.

“I’m so terribly sorry, Lord Castledon.” Her face burned bright red, and she confessed, “M-my brother was released from the asylum a few weeks ago. But he’s…still very ill. He’s not thinking clearly and never should have been let out.”

Her hands were shaking, and she said, “He came here with the intent of killing Dr. Fraser and Lady Castledon, Juliette’s sister. H-he wanted Juliette to see them suffer.”

“Do you think he’s gone northwest, toward Ballaloch?”

She nodded. “Please, my lord. Someone has to stop him. He doesn’t care what happens to him. Vengeance is all that matters.”

The doctor met David’s gaze. “I’m taking your fastest horse and any men who are wanting to come with me.”

“No,” Juliette insisted. “Don’t, Paul.”

“Then you want me to hide here while the man goes tae kill your father and mother?” The doctor underscored his harsh words by stroking his wife’s cheek. “I don’t think you do,
a chrídhe
.”

Juliette was openly crying now, holding tight to her husband. “I don’t like this.”

“My brother won’t stop,” Lady Sarah admitted. “He
is
mad, and if you don’t find him, I fear the worst.” Her face colored, and she stared at Amelia. “I had to warn you.”

Amelia nodded and laced her fingers with David’s. There seemed to be an unspoken agreement between them that he didn’t understand. But then his wife ordered, “Send whatever men you want to help Dr. Fraser. Juliette will stay with us.
She
is who the earl truly wants. We’ll keep her safe here, along with Grace.”

David didn’t like the idea of staying behind, but he recognized the need to protect the women. He stared at Fraser, who nodded. “So be it.”

The doctor reached for his coat and added, “This time, I’m going to finish it, Juliette. Strathland won’t come back alive.”

He’d missed the shot.

So close, and yet the bullet had caught the earl instead of Amelia Andrews.

With every mile that passed, Brandon was taunted by his failure. It infuriated him, for the pistol wasn’t as accurate as he’d thought.

He’d had no time to reload before one of the servants had seen him. There had been only seconds to get away, for if he’d been caught then, he could not have killed the rest of them.

Brandon kicked his horse’s flanks and urged the animal faster. He hardly cared about those who would pursue him. Instead of feeling fear, it only heightened his excitement. It was the thrill of a very different chase. One that would end in the way
he
wanted it to.

He rode west until he located the coach that had brought him this far. Richardson was waiting, along with his driver.

Brandon pulled his horse to a stop and stripped off his coat. “Give me your coat,” he ordered. “Put on mine.”

Richardson appeared confused at the command. “My lord, why?”

“Just do it.”

He handed over his coat and accepted the one Brandon gave him. Before the man could ask another question, Brandon shot him in the chest.

Richardson dropped to his knees beside the horse and died within seconds. He’d never had time to take a second breath. Feeling satisfied, Brandon reloaded his pistol.

His pursuers would be searching for a man on horseback, wearing a green coat. They would not guess that he was in a coach. The driver was staring at him with wide eyes, as if he couldn’t believe the murder he’d just witnessed.

“I would suggest that you drive me to Ballaloch, as fast as the horses can manage it,” Brandon said, climbing inside the coach. “Your life depends on it.”

Within minutes, they were continuing on the road, as fast as possible. Undoubtedly, Lord Castledon’s men would track him down soon enough, but in the meantime, Richardson’s body would delay their progress. A few hours were all he needed.

His sister’s escape would pose a problem, but he hoped that his pursuers hadn’t had time to speak with Sarah. If they’d struck off immediately, they wouldn’t have seen her.

Inside the confines of the coach, he blinked as his head began to hurt again. He fought against the haze that threatened his clarity. His purpose was clear, and he had the weapons he needed to accomplish this task.

He closed his eyes, imagining their screams.

Days passed, slipping into nights, until Brandon lost track of his bearings. He knew they were in Scotland, but he could not say how far away they were from Ballaloch.

Darkness surrounded him, but on this night, he found it difficult to sleep. He sensed that someone had caught up to him. Although he’d stopped once or twice, it had been for only an hour or two. He hardly cared that his coachman hadn’t slept. The man would sleep for an eternity once they arrived.

Abruptly, the coach stopped for no reason. Brandon pounded against the ceiling of the coach, demanding to know why. The silence was ghostly, making him reach for a loaded pistol. Every part of him was alert, waiting for the moment the door would fly open.

Minutes crept onward, and his blood ran cold, waiting. At long last, he could bear it no longer. He opened the door of the coach, staring into the darkness that was only illuminated by the dim lantern light.

He never saw anyone. The night closed over him, making his pulse quicken. His driver lay prone upon the seat, his neck twisted at an unnatural angle.

Brandon kept the pistol pointed forward, waiting for his enemy to emerge from the shadows.

He never saw the face of the man who pulled the trigger, nor did he feel anything more after the bullet entered his brain.

F
OUR
D
AYS
L
ATER

Amelia stood at the window, watching as Sarah Carlisle stood before the coach. Her brother’s body had been found in Scotland, and an investigation of the murder had begun. Thankfully, Dr. Fraser was not a suspect, since Strathland’s body had been found before he’d reached the man.

Outside, rain splattered against the cobblestones, but Sarah didn’t hurry to leave. She looked desolate and lost, but she risked a glance above, as if she could see Amelia watching.